Day 18 - Damai Beach Borneo - Arcade games and vodka buckets

I got up early today rounded the troops and made our way to breakfast. After this we all headed to the pool for an hour or two but it was cloudy so we went for a walk to the food court again and found the most amazing little arcade game. Colour ball thunder bolt. 

Gambling is illegal in Malaysia but it seems that they have a way around it. We watched for a while then decided TSL needed to be involved. We managed to speak to a local and he explained the rules. Basically you pay some random guy for some cans of coke, you then place your cans on coloured squares, eight balls are then dropped through some nails, first to get there is the winner and then if your can is on the corresponding square you win 6 cans for every one you put down. If you get 24 plus cans you get a cone, when I can upload pictures you will see what I mean. Once you have accumulated enough cans you can exchange them for prizes. We got so lucky so we swapped for some chocolate biscuits. Simple things :) 

After a few more games we handed in our cans so we could come back later. We headed back to the chalet and I skyped my mum, dad and aunty. It was so great to see them, if feels like I have been away ages and I still have so long to go. We then all got changed ready for dinner and drinking. The little local bar we found did vodka buckets. One bottle of vodka and a can of coke in a bucket. 6 of these later and we were pushing Mel back over the fence, she then fell over and smashed her head on a rock. Mummy mode kicked in and I spent the next few hours checking she was still breathing.
                                
                                         

Day 17 - Matang/Damai Borneo - Pool, Wifi and Roti

I woke up feeling remarkably well, not what I can say for one of my fellow housemates. I had however gained a new bite, on my eye! I looked like I had been punched in the face all swollen and weeping! We had to work this morning too! 

Quarentine was the order of the day so gibbon time again, I was determined to get through this without incident so I could spend time with Rosey as I wouldn't get our afternoon session or anytime over the weekend. Once I was finished I prepared Roseys cage with branches and goodies of raisins and fruit then I took a seat and watched her, occasionally she would come over for a bit of love but mostly she was rooting around for her prizes. 

Thankfully we only had a half day today, at about 1pm Bron picked us all up and we headed for Damai Beach Resort. We all thought we deserved some us time and WIFI!!

We went for a swim while Beau checked out our surroundings. He came back with news that if we jumped a fence we could get into a food court. We followed suit and went and ate these amazing Roti pancakes, followed by a few drinks and bed.
                                          

Day 16 - Matang Borneo - Bears, Paths and Street Parties

Back to work today and the rota had come back round to bears. Mel and I were together again which was good. Before cleaning we had to build a few more steps for a new bear who has arrived. She is a lot older than the rest and struggles with the platforms. Although it was only 8.30am it was boiling. Standing on an exposed platform with that on your back means you sweat a lot! Great way to start. But we wielded the power tools and got the job done.

Mel and I returned home to find head chef Beau cooking up a storm. Spicy pasta! Mel however struggled with the heat but watching her attempt it was quote amusing. After lunch we felled a tree that was encroaching into the bear enclosure. We started to saw then all of a sudden the tree started to make strange noises and it snapped. Time to call in some man muscle. Richard came to our rescue with his machete and had it down in no time. Then we all clubbed together to pull it over the wall.

The effort of this afternoon had only just started. Back to the farm. Kiwis Bron and Mel with the English roses Eddie and I. We had a path to build today, sand first then gravel on top. Seems fairly simple but add uneven ground, temperatures soaring and no shade it gets a whole heap harder. It did seem like it wasn't achievable but we battled through and kept each other going. After 3 hours it was complete, what an achievement. The simple accomplishments out here really do make you feel proud.

We returned home exhausted but there was more work to do. TSL had organised a street party, the first ever! We had arranged with the locals for them to help us cook bamboo chicken and sticky rice. They all bought their children, wives, cousins, extended family and Rice Whiskey! It started off sophisticated, all grouped round a table filling the bamboo, then drink came out then it rapidly went down hill, everyone was chatting giggling, we had music and more alcohol. It was only when one of the neighbour suggested we called it a night that we headed to bed. Well I say all the volunteers, not Mel. She had passed out on the grass about an hour before so Bron, Beau and I had set her up an outside bedroom complete with mosquito net and water.
                                                                                                        

Day 15 - Matang Borneo - Semengogh, fairy caves and the beach

  

Aching was an understatement when I awoke. Thankfully today we had a sort of day off. Richard had organised for us to visit Semengogh, a centre that let's Orangs live semi wild. I visited this place last time out of the fruiting season so there were a lot more Orangs at the feeding station than this time but it was great to see the others enjoying themselves. After about an hour we headed back into the van and off we went to our next stop, lunch. 

It was literally a hut on the side of the road, and was a kind of buffet. I honestly have no idea what I ate meat wise but it tasted delicious. Some of the girls that ordered food came unstuck though. Clearly in Malaysia saying no meat gets you no meat chunks, it does not include shell fish or fine slices of meat. Apparently it's rude not to offer a guest meat with their meal. Note to self don't come to Malaysia if you are a veggie.

After we had all stuffed our faces it was back on the bus, by this point we were all feeling the effects of car sickness, colour had faded from our faces and silence prevailed. Soon however we were at our next destination. The Fairy Caves. This place was odd to start with as before us was a giant stair case. Obviously being fitness people TSL ran all the way up only to enter the cave and find a load more steps and steep ladders. But WOW when we got to the top. It opened up into the most beautiful space. At the front was an enormous opening which cast light over the cave and enabled plants to grow. Water dripped from the ceilings to water them. It was truly magical and photos really can't do it justice. We wandered around the paths to see it from different angles. Breathtaking. Of course we ran back down the stairs :) 

Next we had the choice of seeing a giant flower native to Borneo or head to the beach. No brainier the beach beaconed. It took just over an hour to get there and looked fairly unremarkable until we stepped on the sand and looked down it. Everyone jumped into the sea, I tentatively paddled for a while, then jumped in with them. It was as warm as a bath. Beau was teaching me to ride the waves which was pretty cool, I wasn't overly successful and in the end he was just throwing me at them. Soon though it was time to go we still had shopping to do.

We went to a different supermarket this time but we already had a list prepared and bought some essentials like a tea towel and a new knife. Whoever gets our house next is going to be happy and well equipped. 

We arrived home quite late so had steak for dinner, it was very burnt but the taste was amazing, missed steak clearly. 

Day 14 - Matang Borneo - Raisins, farms and hoes

I felt better this morning when I awoke, yesterday's emotions had calmed and it was ready for Orangs take two. Today I worked with my housemate Mel, we absolutely smashed cleaning the cages in record time, chatting and giggling as this is the first chance we have had alone together. We finished so early we were tasked with making a rope bridge in the baby enclosure, we even did this in super quick time. Must say we make a rather good team.

I left Mel to finish it off as it was Rosey time, I do half an hour in the morning and half an hour after work, plus any other time I get spare. I took some nuts, seeds and raisins today. It became obvious she liked the raisins best as she picked all them off my hand first, then the peanuts, then she took the seeds and dropped them on the floor! After food I tickled and scratched her back then she finally put her hand into mine and let me rub her arm! I cannot tell you how amazing this is! It meant she was facing me and I could look at her little face, she is so lovely. Suddenly all the rangers started to get up and go to lunch and she was off to look at them, I took this opportunity to head to lunch.

After lunch me and Mel were on the board walk again, as both of us are OCD'ers we nailed the scrapping whilst continuing our chatter chatter. It was HOT today so again the shade was a welcome reprieve. We have decided that we would like to finish this boardwalk by the time we leave. I left early to go and see Rosey again who is starting to recognise me when I walk past. We then all got the bad news that tonight was going to be a late one at the Farm.

Recently the centre bought some land about 10 minutes walk from the centre. They aim to farm some of the fruits which the animals eat to reduce costs. We all headed up there hot and lacking motivation, this only got worse when we arrived to find a field. Kristi  (head of horticulture and also with me on the next stage) explained the boundaries and the vision. Mel and I offered to Hoe, and yes we were giggling about this new title when Kristi  exclaimed 'come on my hoes'. We were presented with our tools and a rather large pile of mud, clay and rocks. We had to make it into two paths. It was daunting to say the least.

As soon as Kristi left us to it Mel and I gave each other the look. The one that says we can do this. And we were off, beautifully working together until it was finished. We were a sweating, aching mess by the end but Christy was so impressed, she didn't think we would finish. Kerry then rewarded us with a can of coke. When you have lived with nothing for a week, coke tastes incredible! 

After today's efforts we decided dinner tonight should be beer. 
           

Day 13 - Matang Borneo - Quarantine, Baby Orangs and Gibbons

Today was my first day on Quarantine. This is the section of the centre that is not open to the public, and is where all the animals that come into the centre are placed until suitable permanent accommodation can be found. It's tiny, overcrowded and frankly not fit for purpose but they are doing the very best with the resources they have. Although to most people this would be hard to take in, all the animals have come from much worse. They are well fed and cleaned out daily. It houses three Orangs, whose enclosure is very nearly finished, although in Malaysia this could mean a few more months. The sooner the better these girls have been in these tiny cages for well over a year. It also has about 20 maquques, iguanas, a slow loris, snakes and 6 gibbons. 

The cleaning is much the same as the others but we do more enrichment tasks to keep them happy. I was tasked with gibbons. These little buggers are frightening, they are quick, noisy and clever! They try to grab you, your tools and the hose. I was mid way through and got comfortable, big mistake. As I waited for the next cage to be opened a macaque grabbed my arm, I squealed and the gibbons all started shouting. I was terrified. I soldered on but within seconds a gibbon had grabbed my leg through the bars. Time to have a break and let my heart rate go back to normal.

After calming myself and finishing the rest of the cages, Kerry (who heads up Quarantine) pulled me aside and asked me to come see the last gibbon on the row. Rosey. She is about 20 and was a pet for 18 years. She was healthy when she was surrendered by her owners for biting people. But within a few months at the centre had started to pull her hair out and eat her poo. Although there is a strict no touch policy at the centre they made the decision to stroke her and her condition improved. Therefore if there is a suitable volunteer they buddy her up, if not she goes a month without regular human contact and deteriorates again. Kerry thought I could do the job, I nearly cried, what a privilege. I went and got some nuts then had some alone time with her. She was nervous at first but food seemed to seal the deal.

I stayed with her for about 20minutes until it was time for lunch. I was really choked up so decided to have a little nap. After lunch we were all called to the orangutan enclosures. A baby had arrived a few weeks ago and today was its introduction to the other babies at Matang. After earlier I was really struggling not to get teary. He was sooooooo cute, but you can see just how strong they are! 

The afternoon was spent making various presents for the animals and we got to meet peanut the Pangolin. A scaly mammal with a very long tongue. After work we had a nice relaxed evening with bubble and squeak for dinner and yet another early night. Working in the jungle takes its toll.
                                              

Day 12 - Matang Borneo - Orangutans, Board Walks and more cake

Although it is Sunday today we were assigned to work. Today's job was Orangs, it was so great to see them all again and I recognised them all straight away. Om, who is an eight year old male has grown a lot and Peter one of the adult males is rapidly turning into a dominant male. I was working with Kate today, who lives in the house across the street. She is from New Zealand. We managed to get the cages cleaned in record time so had lots of time to sit around watching them. Luckily for us the babies were not going to jungle school today so we got to watch them play together which was very cute, even if one did stick his bits through the cage and try to wee on me. 

After lunch we had project work to do on a board walk that will eventually become a night trail and open to visitors. It leads from the crocodiles up to some new enclosures that will require refurbishment but will mean that the gibbons or macaques can be moved out of quarentine over the coming months. This was quite a relaxing task and was in the shade which is a god send as at the moment the temperature is exceeding 32degrees 24hrs a day. We had to scrub the moss off the planks and then hopefully we will get to paint it before our time is up.

Following a few hours of this we headed back to the Orangs for afternoon feeding time, we got to hand them bananas, which was just perfect to end our working day. We all headed back to our houses to prepare dinner and discuss the various rashes, bits and scratches we were now collecting. The Permanent volenteers (or hippies as they are called by the locals) give any rash that can't be diagnosed as 'skank rash'. All three of us now have one of these on various parts of our body.

We finished today with Kate's 20th Birthday over at their house. Got to cuddle a few kittens who have taken up home there and then we all called it a night
       

Day 11 - Matang Borneo - Workouts, walks and beer

Although we had only worked one day it is now Saturday and our first official day off. However, as we have only just arrived we hadn't really anything to do so the project leaders had organised for us to go on a walk. Team Slow Loris (TSL) thought a full workout before would be a good idea so at 7am sharp we did a circuit we had created last night. We all felt fantastic afterwards even if a bit warm. Now we were ready to walk. 

Dom (who heads up the orangutan with Richard) was our guide and drove us up to the waterfall walk, having done it before I knew what was coming, a gruelling 2km slog up a concrete slop. This marked just over half way to the waterfall. Next came 1.5km along a jungle path, but it was well worth it when we arrived at the waterfall. Just as beautiful as last time and I even had a swim.

After about 2hours chilling out we got dressed and headed back, but the plan changed and Dom advised that we would be walking back to Matang, which by road is about 15km, through jungle about 7km. It was about 12noon by this point and it was HOT. It took us about 3hours, but was well worth the effort as we had the rest of the afternoon to enjoy ourselves. 

TSL dived straight to the little shop just outside the centre which is pretty much a hut that sells random stuff. Luckily they had one crate of beer left so we took it. I am pretty sure you can gather what happened next......

Day 10 - Matang Borneo - Bears, Bamboo and Birthday Cake

 

Had a bad nights sleep last night I think it was more to do with backing onto a jungle and all the new nosises. Unfortunately it decided to rain at about 4am, I am not sure anyone slept through that it is just so loud. After cereals and toast we started our first days work. We have a rota and my job for today was the Sun Bears.

They have two enclosures of these cute little bears (the worlds smallest). So first job of the day was putting the food out for them, this involves climbing their enclosure and the trees and placing fruit and dog biscuits in the holes and crevasses. Next stage is to smear peanut butter and honey over it. We then got a chance to watch them when they were released from their night dens. It's great to see them sniff out what you thought was a well hidden piece. The baby bear born at Matang (it was unplanned) is a great tree climber and very very cute. After this we had the night dens to clean which means clearing last nights food and poop, hosing, scrubbing, hosing again then squeeging the excess water off.

First half the day complete it was time for lunch so we all headed back to our houses. I arrived home to find Beau cooking noodles and veg, which was delicious and well deserved. We got two hours to chill out before regrouping at 2pm. Most of the volenteers then went to complete their afternoons work, but Emma (a past volenteers as well) and I were tasked with going with Richard (a keeper) and another long term volunteer to collect bamboo for a group of school children who were arriving on Saturday to make some enrichment for the animals.

This trek was about 2km into the rainforest until we came across the bamboo. Richard cut it all down, then into sections where us girls tied it all together. The string we bought didn't really hold so we reverted to the natural vines growing round the trees which was a lot stronger! We popped it all on our shoulders and headed back to the centre. As bamboo harbours water they were pretty heavy and balancing them with sloshing water inside was hard work. When we returned to the centre we then had to cut them into individual sections. We were pretty efficient at this so upon completion headed over to help with the finishing touches to a civet cat cage. I wielded some power tools and we (not me) broke a hard wood drill head. Those things are strong and it literally just steered off! This now means a civet cat from quarentine can move into its new home. What this project is all about.

Day one of working was now complete, I went home and made dinner. We had some Birthday cake with the others for one of the others birthday, had a few beers and crashed about 9pm.

Day 9 - Matang Borneo - Huts, Chickens and Vegetables

After Alvin picked us up we headed to Matang on the coach, it's weird how you remember the little stalls and where things are, it makes the journey even better as you can pay more attention to detail the second time round.

Upon arrival at Matang we were showed our street (pictured above, we are second on the left) and got split into groups. Our house is called Slow Loris and I am sharing with Kiwi Mel and Ozzy Beau. The accommodation is basic but has everything we require, it's actually quite we'll stocked on the kitchen front which is refreshing. We didn't have long to settle in before we were whisked on the grand tour, it's so amazing to be back, feels like I never left. After we had been showed around and I had seen the new arrivals we headed out to stock the fridge.

I have been very fortunate with my housemates, Beau likes cooking too and Mel likes washing up. Also neither of them are fussy eaters and prefer healthy stuff. Win win. Shopping was easy as far as choice and decision making, everyone was laughing at Beau as he is so tall and we managed to forget to weigh all our veg so had to do our own version of supermarket sweep back and forth. First team Slow loris stressful situation accomplished with flying colours and lots of giggles.

After the supermarket we ventured to find meat. It seems you can only buy things whole. We went for chicken as it's our first week and we were unsure how good the knives were, I can imagine calving half a pig on a work suffice smaller than my flat could be entertaining. It wasn't until we got said chicken home we realised it had its head as well. I had some new pants so we used those bags as they were resealable and split the chicken up for each day and froze the rest. We had this jungle thing down already! 

After food shopping we headed to get water and obviously beer. When we got home the beer came out and we kind of forgot dinner so Mel and I had scrambled eggs on toast and Beau a jam sandwiche. Some of the others came over as our house has some outside seating, we swapped food shopping experiences then all called it a night fairly early.